Local Legends

Fairy Stones

Legend has it that fairies were playing with naiads and wood nymphs, when an elfin messenger arrived from a city far away. He brought news of the death of Christ. When these creatures of the forest heard the story of the crucifixion, they wept.

As their tears fell upon the earth, they crystallized to form beautiful crosses. When the fairies disappeared from the enchanted place, mementos of the event were strewn throughout.

For many years people held these little crosses in superstitious awe, firm in the belief that they protected the wearer against sickness, accidents and disaster. President Theodore Roosevelt and President Wilson, Thomas A. Edison, Colonel Charles Lindbergh, and many other prominent people of this country as well as crowned heads of Europe and prominent officers and men in the European Wars carried these little lucky pieces tucked snugly away.

Nowhere else on earth are these rare stones found in such abundance and shaped so nearly like crosses as they are in Patrick County and specifically around Fairy Stone State Park.

Lover's Leap

Lover's Leap is a one of several spectacular views along your journey through Patrick County. In the 1600's, the Indians inhabited the Blue Ridge Mountains. White settlers started arriving and began clearing land to farm. Conflict arose between the Indians and the settlers. Legend has it that the son of a settler saw the twinkle in the eyes of the Chief's daughter, Morning Flower, and was immediately love-struck. The couple began to meet secretly and their love continued to grow. The young man and Indian maiden were threatened and shunned. With the beautiful rock and wildflowers as their backdrop, they jumped into the wild blue yonder ensuring they would be together forever. As you gaze out at Lover's Leap, you can still see the evidence of their love in the beautiful view and hear them whisper in the cool evening breezes.